Download - O ver the S now V ehicles
August 2007August 2007 11
OOver the ver the SSnow now VVehiclesehicles
Chuck MartschinkeChuck Martschinke
National Ski PatrolNational Ski Patrol
Central DivisionCentral Division
August 2007August 2007 22
Patrol SurveyPatrol Survey
• Do you use OSV
• Sent via email to all patrols
• Approximately 125
• 32 responses
• Two areas, reported twice
• One reported on requirements of NY state
August 2007August 2007 33
Do you use?Do you use?
• 14 use snowmobiles
• 5 use some form of 4x
• 7 use a combination of both
• 6 use none (2 Nordic parks)– Area management does not allow them– Park rangers bring them if needed
August 2007August 2007 44
What for?What for?
• Patient movementpulling loaded toboggans
– Up hill 13• Due to patrol room location
– Down hill 12• Usually due to limited personnel (weekdays)
– Horizontal 24– 2 said NO guests/patients on OSV– 4 said minor injuries on OSV
August 2007August 2007 55
What for?What for?• Movement of personnel and equipment
– Added resources at an incident– Specialized equipment to an incident– Toboggans
• To their ready locations• Up hill during training and evaluating
– Escort of other grooming and snow making equipment
– Opening and closing functions
August 2007August 2007 66
Alternate methodsAlternate methods
• 7 use carriers to up load toboggans on chairs
August 2007August 2007 77
Toboggan CarriersToboggan Carriers
August 2007August 2007 88
Not so good alternate methodsNot so good alternate methods
• Laps
• Chairs
August 2007August 2007 99
TrainingTraining
• 19 have training– Mostly home grown and done internally
• One stated that the maintenance dept did the training
– Only 3 mentioned any record keeping– Concerns with NSAA material on rider
position (kneeling and standing)
August 2007August 2007 1010
OperationOperation
• Operators– 8 indicated they have dedicated operators– 5 said area employees only– Who decided they could be:
• 5 personal choice• 7 area management• 1 patrol director• 2 hill leader or crew chief
August 2007August 2007 1111
OperationsOperations
• Dedicated Routes– 15 indicated they had routes to travel or avoid
• 7 decided by area management• 8 decide by area management and patrol• 1 decide by habit• One hill to go up and one to go down• One reported operation zones vs. routes
August 2007August 2007 1212
OperationsOperations
• Warning equipment– a mix of: lights, flashers, strobes,
beepers/horns, and flags were reported– Flags are the most prevalent– 3 whistles - operator– 9 reported no devices
August 2007August 2007 1313
CommentsComments
• Routes should consider– Visibility– Slope (difficulty)– General terrain
• Question the general risk vs. reward
• NY state requires full employees only
• Could use better training and refreshing
• Use greatly limited when area open
August 2007August 2007 1414
CommentsComments
• Not very reliable
• When moving un-loaded toboggans – Toboggan handles folded back– Trains of toboggans no more than two
toboggans long by two toboggans wide
August 2007August 2007 1515
Best Practices – a startBest Practices – a start
• A collaborative policy– Include all departments operating OSV– Understanding of department needs
• Establish a training and refreshing program– With a record keeping component
• Who can operate
August 2007August 2007 1616
Best Practices – a startBest Practices – a start
• What they should and should not be used for
• When they should and should be operated
• Where they should and should not be operated
• What speed they should be operated at
• Warning devices
• Explore other methods to limit their need
August 2007August 2007 1717
Thank YouThank You
Have a safe and profitable seasonHave a safe and profitable season